Dozens feared dead after passenger ferry carrying over 100 people sinks off coast of Guyana
Dozens Feared Dead After Passenger Ferry Sinks Off Guyana
Rescue Operations Underway for Missing Travelers
Goldlaner.com – Dozens feared dead after passenger ferry disaster struck late Saturday evening when the MV Barima capsized in coastal waters near Guyana. The vessel was carrying 133 people aboard when it overturned, triggering a massive search and rescue effort. Officials confirmed that 67 individuals were rescued by Sunday afternoon, including fifteen children, but many remain unaccounted for. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill revealed that discrepancies in the passenger manifest and crew members smoking marijuana before departure may have contributed to the tragedy. The captain and other crew personnel have been taken into police custody as investigations continue.
Search and rescue is still in progress. So to the families that are out there wondering about their loved ones, we are doing everything that is humanly possible to find them.
Compounding Challenges in Recovery Efforts
Initial rescue attempts faced significant obstacles according to Minister Edghill. Nighttime darkness and inadequate equipment hampered early operations. Many vessels lacked scanning technology to detect survivors underwater, forcing rescuers to rely on visual and auditory signals. Oil and gas companies responded by contributing specialized vessels with advanced scanning capabilities. The government also deployed trained divers to enter the submerged ferry. The search area expanded dramatically from 400 square kilometers to 1,040 square kilometers—approximately 401 square miles.
Complicating matters further, several rescued passengers were not listed on the official passenger manifest. This discrepancy has made it difficult for officials to determine exactly how many people remain missing. Edghill initially suggested no negligence by the ferry operator but later disclosed that the captain and at least one crew member tested positive for marijuana. The MV Barima departed from Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, heading toward Port Kaituma village when it began sinking approximately seven miles offshore. Air traffic control received an emergency transmission around 11 o’clock Saturday night, immediately launching the rescue operation.
Vessel Details and Investigation Progress
The minister noted that the ferry received maintenance in 2024 and was scheduled for dry docking later that year. Dry docking involves removing a ship from water for comprehensive inspections and repairs. Prime Minister Mark Phillips provided additional information about loading conditions, stating the ferry carried 268 tons of cargo against a 284-ton maximum capacity. The vessel was authorized to carry over 300 passengers and possessed 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts, and two rigid life rafts.
Let me be absolutely clear: where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law.
By Sunday evening, Prime Minister Phillips announced that an investigation had been launched into potential wrongdoing involving members of the police force, the defense force, and the maritime administration department. Dozens feared dead after passenger ferry tragedy continues to unfold as search operations persist across the vast waters.
Survivors Share Their Stories
The tragedy has devastated numerous families across Guyana. Leon Murray, a passenger aboard the ferry, recounted his harrowing experience to local news outlet Ignite News. He explained that approximately four hours after departing Georgetown, someone cried out that the vessel was taking on water and sinking. After the ferry overturned, Murray managed to reach the surface and utilized a life jacket to remain afloat. While drifting, he called for assistance and encountered his son along with three other individuals clinging to a floating container.
Six of them gone.
Murray confirmed that he and his son survived the ordeal, but his wife, daughter, and four grandchildren have not yet been located. As search operations continue across the expanded zone, hope remains that more survivors may yet be found among the vast waters surrounding the capsized ferry. Dozens feared dead after passenger ferry disaster serves as a somber reminder of maritime safety concerns in the region.
